Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food and facilities management company, will be the official retailer for the World Meeting of Families Congress and Papal visit, Sept. 22 to 27, 2015.
More than 200 items, including keychains, T-shirts and other apparel, tote bags, and glassware, will be available to commemorate the Philadelphia stop of Pope Francis’ first trip to the U.S. The Pope Francis plush doll has proven an early favorite, and the selection of rosaries is expected to be a big seller, according to Philly.com.
The papal-themed and faith-based merchandise will have items on sale from $5 to $500. Many of the items will display the World Meeting of Families logo, which features a family of figures inside the Liberty Bell that has a cross on the top.
Souvenirs will be sold online ahead of the pope’s arrival on the World of Families Meeting Web store. The memorabilia will also be sold at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and pop-up locations along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway during the pope’s visit, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Pope Francis will be in Philadelphia in late September. On Sept. 26, he will attend the closing of the World Meeting of Families, an international gathering for Catholics focused on strengthening family bonds; and on Sept. 27, he will host an outdoor Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that is expected to draw 2 million people. Up to 3 million people are expected throughout the week.
